what does bonzi want?

[Jerryaki]

well, according to stein:

No less a source of intrigue, to me, is what happens with the Pistons' $5 million mid-level exception. There are rumblings that Sacramento's Bonzi Wells is willing to take a pay cut to reunite with former Blazers buddy Rasheed Wallace and provide the jolt Detroit needs after crashing out of the East finals. That would be an undeniable steal, especially after seeing how much Wells hurt San Antonio in the first round of the playoffs, but the Pistons also crave a point guard who can push the pace -- not a Chauncey Billups specialty -- and are said to be high on the list of New Orleans-Oklahoma City's Speedy Claxton.
If they're both willing to sign for the exception, Detroit has a tough choice to make: Wells or Claxton. In that scenario, I'd expect the Pistons to sign Wells and use their smaller exception ($1.7 million) to pursue Pistons alumnus Chucky Atkins.

rumblings may have a kernel of truth in them, and at the very least there ARE rumblings around this, unlike:

More than one executive who spoke to ESPN.com expressed surprise about this, but it appears to be a reality: Indiana's Peja Stojakovic has scarcely been mentioned lately in GM circles. Call it a strong sign that most teams see Peja as a lock to re-sign with the Pacers.
We've discussed previously that Stojakovic and best friend Vlade Divac would love to reunite in Los Angeles, with Divac now serving in the Lakers' front office, but that would require a sign-and-trade. If L.A. didn't have enough to tempt Indiana when Ron Artest was available, its chances of concocting a deal for the shooter Kobe so badly needs probably aren't worth discussing.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&id=2505206

 

[BibityBobtyBoom]

why would he sign with the pistons? they already have rip and tayshaun and i don't think bonzi wants to come off the bench unless he wants like sixth man of the year.

 

[Kings113]

Can't see him signing with the Pistons.

- MLE
- Team questions with Saunders as coach, and Ben Wallace possibly leaving
- Bench role
- Would have to move AGAIN.
- Loves Sac
- Would have a starter role here
- Can get the most money from us

 

[nbrans]

This is probably an attempt by Bonzi's agent to make sure the Kings or another team will offer more than the MLE. Threaten that Bonzi will walk for the MLE and drive up his price.

 

[Farms Block]

If Peja signs with the Lakers they'll have a great squad......again.

Can the Lakers even afford Peja?

 

[Kings113]

Great? hehe... I'd say a quality/good squad. Lakers are more likely to spend the MLE on Marcus Banks. Which is all they could offer Peja, I think.

 

[WalMatt23]

If Peja signs with the Lakers they'll have a great squad......again.

Can the Lakers even afford Peja?

LoL

Peja didn't opt out of his contract to take the MLE and reunite w/ Vlade- he opted out to get a fat long term contract. For the lakers to get peja, they'd have to do a sign and trade and I can't see the pacers doing one for anything less than odom. I don't think it really would make them much better, unless they could keep odom (which I just can't see).

Kobe + Peja < Kobe + Odom

Peja < Odom

 

[VF21]

Since Vlade now spends a LOT of time in Europe acting as the Laker scout over there, I don't think there's much incentive for Peja to sign with LA if he's hoping for some kind of reunion.

 

[hammystyle]

LoL

Peja didn't opt out of his contract to take the MLE and reunite w/ Vlade- he opted out to get a fat long term contract. For the lakers to get peja, they'd have to do a sign and trade and I can't see the pacers doing one for anything less than odom. I don't think it really would make them much better, unless they could keep odom (which I just can't see).

Kobe + Peja < Kobe + Odom

Peja < Odom

They might S&T Peja for Bynum, Mihm and something to make the salaries work (Aaron Mckie?). The Pacers have Granger and now Shawne Williams, so I don't think that would be too bad.

Whatever Peja peaked, and is on the downside of his career. Kobe would hate him because he's a pansy.

 

[AriesMar27]

^^^thats what i was thinking...

 

[Padrino]

Can't see him signing with the Pistons.

- MLE
- Team questions with Saunders as coach, and Ben Wallace possibly leaving
- Bench role
- Would have to move AGAIN.
- Loves Sac
- Would have a starter role here
- Can get the most money from us

a little tidbit on realgm.com mentioned that detroit was considering not re-signing ben wallace so they can make a run at bonzi wells. it makes sense, in part, that they're not real interested in re-signing ben wallace after his poor showing (and excruciatingly poor free throw shooting) in the eastern conference finals, not to mention the fact that he's 32 years old now. i don't know why you'd wanna let a 32 year old go just so you can sign a 30 year old who doesn't particularly fill a need and more than likely wouldn't start, but that's the rumor.

 

[BMiller52]

a little tidbit on realgm.com mentioned that detroit was considering not re-signing ben wallace so they can make a run at bonzi wells. it makes sense, in part, that they're not real interested in re-signing ben wallace after his poor showing (and excruciatingly poor free throw shooting) in the eastern conference finals, not to mention the fact that he's 32 years old now. i don't know why you'd wanna let a 32 year old go just so you can sign a 30 year old who doesn't particularly fill a need and more than likely wouldn't start, but that's the rumor.

So basically they're screwing themselves over just to screw us over? They have no center if they let Ben go. They have SG/SF guys already obviously.

 

[HndsmCelt]

yeah it makes little sense for Detroit but IF the Pistons wnat to trade Bonzi for Ben... I'd do it in a min.

 

[walker60]

yeah it makes little sense for Detroit but IF the Pistons wnat to trade Bonzi for Ben... I'd do it in a min.

I'm beginning to think that the Pistons are going to move Ben Wallace in a S&T. They like Bonzi so maybe something could be worked out.

 

[Kings113]

Pistons will try to sign Ben before they go after Bonzi. Dumars knows if he's gone, the team slips back to a degree.

All they gotta do is improve the bench. They're starting 5 is damn good. I remember a couple posters saying the Pistons had one of the top benches in the NBA, and saying the Spurs bench wasn't as good (this was before the playoffs).

Dumars also said Delfino will have a bigger role next season.

 

[LPKingsFan]

So which is a better starting 5?

C: Miller
PF: R. Wallace
SF: Artest
SG: Wells
PG: Bibby

OR

C: Miller
PF: B. Wallace
SF: Artest
SG: Martin
PG: Bibby

 

[BMiller52]

So which is a better starting 5?

C: Miller
PF: R. Wallace
SF: Artest
SG: Wells
PG: Bibby

OR

C: Miller
PF: B. Wallace
SF: Artest
SG: Martin
PG: Bibby

Who's more likely to kill Ron? Sheed or Big Ben . Both...

 

[Kings113]

The second. Miller/Rasheed would be a weak rebounding 4/5 combo. Sheed doesn't block as many shots as he used to, but is a good post defender. Maybe it was Flip, but Sheed didn't go down in the post a lot or much last season from what I saw.

Sheed/Ron would probably be OK. Neither have had problems with eachother, I think. Sheed's matured, but still gets technicals is all.

Ben and Artest should put away whatever differences they've had from 2 years ago. In the summer, at camp, through the media.

Which I don't think is nothing big, DPOY stuff, flagrant foul and if Ben still has it on his mind, then that's quite weird and sad. I think those are things that can be put away over time. Ben wasn't even involved in the brawl.

Ron saying he'd box him was just Ron being Ron (a goofy and unique comment, like many other things he's said).

Ron judo threw Bonzi over his back in 02-03 in Portland, and that wasn't even an issue or a big deal in the media in Sacramento.

Kenny Thomas and SAR got into a fight in 02-03, ditto. It was obviously mentioned, but nothing more than a blurb in an aritcle.

Automatically assuming things wouldn't work is one-dimensonal. It's up in the air, but given the circumstances and things involved, I think it'd be put past.

Pistons will try to sign Ben before they go after Bonzi. Dumars knows if he's gone, the team slips back to a degree.

All they gotta do is improve the bench. They're starting 5 is damn good. I remember a couple posters saying the Pistons had one of the top benches in the NBA, and saying the Spurs bench wasn't as good (this was before the playoffs).

Dumars also said Delfino will have a bigger role next season.

To follow up on Delfino:

"Hammond said the Pistons plan to pick up the fourth-year option on Carlos Delfino's contract. The 6-6 forward's current deal runs through the 2006-2007 season."

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index...amp;coll=1

 

[BMiller52]

I remember when we played SA Ron said something like Ben's defense is overrated and the voters rob Ron&Bowen when they give DPOY to Ben. It was in one of those Bee articles IIRC. Both of them seriously hate eachother.

 

[Kings113]

Well, that's what I mean. Crap like that is dumb and shouldn't be a serious issue, and think it can be put away because of what it is - not much.

Think Ron said that because of the Bowen/Ron match-up for that game, and just made it as one of his comments.

 

[Venom]

The Pistons don't a need a center in today's game. If I were them, I would absolutely let Ben Wallace go rather than ink a max, or near max, deal. The way today's game is played they can just slide everyone down a spot, and plug in Bonzi at the 2. He can cover the other team's SF. Furthermore, the Pistons have some frontcourt depth. McDyess is solid, and Maxiell showed well in his first year.

 

[nbrans]

Yeah, I might consider letting Ben walk as well. He had pretty good years the last two years, but come playoff time his heart didn't really look in it. When you're absolutely depending on Ben's hustle to win games, that's risky business to give him a ton of money when he didn't seem to go that extra mile in the playoffs.

 

[Kings113]

Because of Flip and his focus on offense, what else would it be? FT stuff? Well, I don't see why it out of a sudden becomes a factor for Ben. I think those two things effected him.

 

[nbrans]

I just don't think he's as hungry as he was since he won the championship. Look at the way his stats have declined, both in the regular season and the playoffs. Either he's lost a step or he's coasting. It's kind of a scary propostion to pay a 31 year old center $12 million a year for four or five years when he's already on a downswing.

 

[chelle]

I think Peja is staying in Indy. I would NOT be suprised to see Wallace in another jersey come October.

HOWEVER, the lure of THE RING may be enough to entice Bonzi to sign with Detroit. That, plus his relationship with 'Sheed will may any offer from them tempting. I think that he would regret it, eventually, if he went there. Chances are, he would end up getting into trouble again. He and Rasheed DO NOT bring out the best in each other. Admittedly, I am biased, but I believe Sacramento is the best place for him.

 

[Bricklayer]

The Pistons don't a need a center in today's game. If I were them, I would absolutely let Ben Wallace go rather than ink a max, or near max, deal. The way today's game is played they can just slide everyone down a spot, and plug in Bonzi at the 2. He can cover the other team's SF. Furthermore, the Pistons have some frontcourt depth. McDyess is solid, and Maxiell showed well in his first year.

This just keeps on getting repeated and repeated as Shaquille O'Neal and Zo Mourning hoist a trophy, with their team having beaten a squad with no less than FOUR 7-footers for the title. Forgot who started it, but some media guy I'm sure, and its rapidly reaching the level of Big Foot or the Loch Ness monster as a myth.

Its just such a line of baloney. In "today's game"...yeah right. Phoenix sure does win a lot of titles. Dallas might well have been the biggest team in the league. The Heat had two legendary centers at the end of their careers. the Spurs had 3 7 footers. Detroit was already the smallest of the elite teams and all they had was the DPOY at center. There being a dearth of good big men doesn't change the age old fact that if you have one in a game where the geometry is vertical, your chances of winning shoot up.

 

[BigSong]

This just keeps on getting repeated and repeated as Shaquille O'Neal and Zo Mourning hoist a trophy, with their team having beaten a squad with no less than FOUR 7-footers for the title. Forgot who started it, but some media guy I'm sure, and its rapidly reaching the level of Big Foot or the Loch Ness monster as a myth.

Its just such a line of baloney. In "today's game"...yeah right. Phoenix sure does win a lot of titles. Dallas might well have been the biggest team in the league. The Heat had two legendary centers at the end of their careers. the Spurs had 3 7 footers. Detroit was already the smallest of the elite teams and all they had was the DPOY at center. There being a dearth of good big men doesn't change the age old fact that if you have one in a game where the geometry is vertical, your chances of winning shoot up.

think it was simmons.

 

[Kings113]

Agreed Brick, and yeah it was Bill Simmons.

 

[Kings113]

I think Peja is staying in Indy. I would NOT be suprised to see Wallace in another jersey come October.

HOWEVER, the lure of THE RING may be enough to entice Bonzi to sign with Detroit. That, plus his relationship with 'Sheed will may any offer from them tempting. I think that he would regret it, eventually, if he went there. Chances are, he would end up getting into trouble again. He and Rasheed DO NOT bring out the best in each other. Admittedly, I am biased, but I believe Sacramento is the best place for him.

Pistons could well not be as good as in the past due to Flip at the helm (more offensive focus), and as you know, could very well lose Ben Wallace. Without him they wouldn't have been where they were in 03-04, 04-05, 05-06.

So, I'd say the lure of coming to the Pistons to get a great chance at a ring, may just lessen due to those factors. Sure the team will still be good if Ben's not there, but not what they were.

Plus Bonzi would be on the bench, have to move again, northward. Bonzi loves the city, doesn't want to move again (said both), and would get the MLE.

Also about Sheed/Bonzi stuff, where has Bonzi said he'd think about Detroit because of Sheed? I certainly haven't seen it.

 

[ParniValjak]

Since Vlade now spends a LOT of time in Europe acting as the Laker scout over there, I don't think there's much incentive for Peja to sign with LA if he's hoping for some kind of reunion.

Exactly!!!!!!

Vlade is moving to Spain for a couple of years so unless Lakers move to Madrid, I very much doubt Pedja ends up there.

I do think that he could very well end up in Toronto and would complement the current bunch of Raptors pretty nicely.